Flexible coupling



Dec. 14,1926. I 1,610,844

0. A. BANNER FLEXIBLE COUPLING 7 i. /4 l4, @INVENTOR. Z3 Z0 Orra -/l fizz/mm BY I l as V l/ J ATTORNEY.

on line 2-.-'2 of Figure when the coupling is in engaged and released Patented Dec- 14.192 6.

UNITED STATES" o'r'ro A. BANNER, or MILWA KEE,

WISCO 151015.44 P TEN -OF I E.

NSIN,ASSIGNOR TO IHE FALK CORPORA- TIOIN, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

\ FLEXIBLE-COUPLING.

-App1ication filed me a, 1924. Serial No. 718,789.

This invention relates to flexible couplings.

One object of the present invention is thei provision of a flexible coupling so constructed as to permit a ready release thereof. a

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

conditions, respectively. 7

The coupling shown comprises stantially cylindrical coupling elements 10 and 11, keyed to shafts 12 and 13, respec tively. Either of the shafts may be the dr1ving shaft and the other the driven shaft. The adjacent ends of the coupling elements are each formed with a series of radial teeth or projections 14 disposed'about the periph ,sha f-ts, the side walls thereof being curved ery thereof. The teeth extend in a,direct1on substantially parallel to the axes of the longitudinally so that the spaces between the teeth compriseinwardly flaring grooves such reduced portion 16- use ofa series of spring metal, each having a pair of substan-v as shown and described in the patent to James Bibby, No. 1,391,713

1 A collar 15 is mounted to slide upon the of coupling element 11. A This collar is provided with an. integral flange or shoulder 17 grooved asat 18 to receive a series of U- haped members 19 off tially "flat resilient limbs 20- projecting parallel to the shafts and adapted to fit snugly "in the spaces between the teeth 14. A clamp ring 21 removably fixed to the flange 17 by a series of screws 22, or otherwise, retains the members 19 in fixed position in the flange. A lubricant retainer ring or casing 23 fixed to the clamp'ring 21. surrounds and houses the teeth 14 and limbs 20.

position shown in Figure 2 preferably by the compression springs one of which is shown at 24. Thesesprings are in-' terposed between the clamp ring 21 and a yoke 26 so as 'ing I as defined in the appended claims. The collar 15 'is normallyretain ed in the Tcollar 25 fixed to the reduced portion 16 of the coupling element 11. The arrangement is such thatwith the parts in this position each of the limbs 20 is lodged between and firmly embraced by'successive teeth 14 of both coupling elements 10 and 11 so as to offer a maximum resistance to relative rotation between the elements. This embracing action is .accentuated by the canting of the several limbs under the transmitted load.

The limbs together thus,constitute a torque transmitting means of such capacity which affords the desired resiliency under light loads, and ample resistance during the trans mission of heavy loads.

the transmitted torque and the flexibility of the .limbs permits smooth operation even with the shafts 12 and-13 somewhat out pf alignment] I v. .7

To release the coupling the collar 15 is? shifted along the reduced portion 16 of the coupling element 11, against 'tl springs 24, toward the position of Figure, 3, until the limbs 20 have lengthwise out of engagement'with the teeth 14 of'the coupling element 10 (see Figure 5) This movement of the collar 15 may be effected in various ways. In the coupling shown, however, this is acpomplished by limbs 27,

means of a control yoke 26, having rockably supported at their lower ends upon fixed pivots 28. The

29 arranged to bear at diametricall'y oppo "site points upon an annular surface 30 pro- 9 vided on the housing '23. During the normal' closed condition of the couplingthe rollers 29 are slightly spaced from the-sun face 30' so as to avoid between during operat1on. By rockingthewfi to shift the rollers in theld-rrection toward the surface 30 the housing 23 and consequently the limbs 20 are shifted to the position of Figures coupling is released. 1

Various-changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinabove described, without departing from or sac I claim: i v 1. In a flexible. coupling the combination of driving anddriven coupling elements, a series of flexible torque transmitting limbs each embraced within both of said elements,

"The. resiliency of 70 the limbs tends to smoothv out fiuctuationsin e pressure of J been withdrawn limbs 27 carry rollers;

wearing contact there- 1 3 and '5 andtheany ofythe advantages of the invention ries of resilient.

and means for disengaging said series of limbs lengthwise from one of said elements.

2. In a flexiblecoupling the combination of driving "and driven coupling elements spaced in fixed relation to each other, a setorque transmitting limbs each embraced-Within both of said elements,

andunitarymeans for disengaging said se ries oflimbs from one of said elements.

3. In a flexible coupling the combinationof driving and driven coupling elements,

openings in each of said elements, resilient torque transmitting means lodged in said openings in both elements and frictionally retained therein under the transmitted load, and means for releasing said coupling.

4; In a flexible coupling the combination of'zdriving and driven coupling elements a spaced in fixed relation to each other, a series of resilient torque transmitting limbs I engaging said elements, and a ring connect ed with said limbs and movable therewith to release the coupling. i

5. In a flexible coupling the combination of driving and driven coupling elements spaced n fixed" relation to each other, resilient torque transmitting limbs engaging said elements, and means for effecting a relative movementbetween said torque transmitting means and elements to releasethe coupling.

' 6. In a flexible coupling the combination of driving and driven coupling elements, re-

. silient torque transmitting means engaging a lubricant retainer ring houssaid elements, 111g said torque transmitting means and movabletherewith, and means for efl'ecting relative movement between saidtorque transmitting means and coupling.

7. In a flexible coupling the combination coupling elements, flexible torque transmitting means releasably of driving and driven I engaged by each of said elements, and means for Withdrawing said torque transmitting means through one of said elements thereby releasing the coupling.

8. In a flexible coupling the edmbination elements to release the of driving and driven coupling elements,

therein under 

